Ice hockey: Michel keeping cool on ice with Steelers

FORMER Cardiff Devils favourite Tylor Michel returns to face his former club this Sunday and says: “I’m staying out of the garbage.”

FORMER Cardiff Devils favourite Tylor Michel returns to face his former club this Sunday and says: “I’m staying out of the garbage.”

Michel, a spark plug player who earned 226 minutes in penalties during two seasons with the Devils, has taken up a far different role for his new club Sheffield Steelers.

And he’s aiming to show that other side to his game when he plays for Steelers against Devils at their Big Blue Tent (6pm).

That is Cardiff’s only match of the weekend and it comes in the Challenge Cup.

A win for the visitors would keep them top of the group.

Michel has collected only 18 minutes in penalties over 26 matches plus weighing in with nine goals and 15 assists.

“I got involved in more scrums, yelled more at refs when I was in Cardiff. I was more of a rate, so to speak.

“This season I just wanted to maintain that work ethic, but stay out of the ‘garbage’.

“I am trying to stay off the refs. I don’t need 10 minute misconducts because that is not helping anybody.”

Canadian Michel, 28, was a major fans favourite in Cardiff and almost returned to the Welsh club this season before opting for Sheffield.

He scored 36 goals with 60 assists for the Devils, while he was voted Player of the Year by both fans and head coach Gerad Adams.

While Michel and his Steelers team-mates prepare for their trip to Cardiff Bay, Devils have Tyson Marsh back playing after a shoulder injury.

Max Birbraer will also return after serving the eight-match suspension imposed after ugly scenes at the end of the Cardiff v Coventry last month. Devils will take the chance to run their whole bench for regular shifts during the match against Sheffield.

Player-coach Gerad Adams and his team will want to beat their rivals from Sheffield, having won against Belfast Giants in the last home match, but know they cannot progress to the Challenge Cup group stages.

Ticket information for the match against Sheffield is available from the Arena box office on 029 2038 2001.

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Cardiff Devils players Max Birbraer and Devin Didiomete have both been hit by lengthy suspensions from the Elite League ice hockey disciplinary committee following the shameful scenes that marred the end of last weekend’s clash with Coventry Blaze.

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